This year we reflect on the 20^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that forever changed not only the United States, but the world. It is paramount, now more than ever, to remember that on a day when outside forces worked to tear our country apart, we rose together as one nation. Now is the time for us to reflect and pay tribute.

Some of our students were too young to remember that tragic day, some had not even been born yet, and some remember it all too vividly. September 11, 2001 is still fresh in many of our minds, and it is now up to us to pass along our own stories, our own memories. To remind us all what it was like the day America was shaken to its core.

• We must never forget those who died in horror on that day.
• We must never forget the first responders who put their own lives on the line, many of whom would go on to battle horrible illnesses linked to their time spent at Ground Zero.
• We must never forget those, who in the coming months and years would fight bravely because their country asked them to, many of whom paid the ultimate price.
• And we must keep in our thoughts the families and friends of the deceased who are still grieving to this day.

As Nelson Mandella once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, or their background, or their religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” So as we reflect over the weekend, please take some time as an individual to reflect; to learn; to understand and appreciate others; and to grow as global citizens. It is in that growth that we can find peace and respect for all of our neighbors, foreign and domestic – no matter our differences. 

In Unity,

Dr. Melik Peter Khoury